Hiya, I'm Weston.
Curiosity motivates me. Love inspires me. I want my writing to be a bridge that brings people together and connects them to distant places and ideas.
Copywriting
My day job as a copywriter allows me to bring my creativity, entrepreneurship, and passion for story telling into focus. I write copy that gives your brand a voice to speak for itself and increases costumer engagement. See samples of my work here.
Editing
Editing takes heart. It is a collaborative process based on communication and teamwork. I work with writers of all kinds (from poets to scientists) to push their skills to the next level. I have an eye for clarity, voice, and organization. I use these strengths to help writers develop and prepare their work for publication.
China
China captured my imagination and shaped my global world view. Throughout my two years there, I was completely immersed: I studied under Chinese professors at the Hopkins Nanjing Center, I worked as a writer for three different Chinese companies, and I lived with Chinese roommates.
Things I can do in Chinese
Go on a date
Negotiate a rental contract
Give a 30 min architectural tour
Chit chat at the water cooler
Present a 10 minute talk
Conduct research
Write a 10 to 15 page paper
Do a job interview
Discuss Economics and Politics
Provide excellent customer service
Beloit College
At Beloit College, we didn't sit in lecture halls, we DID stuff. COOL stuff. I undertook original research and built a qualitative choice model to determine the likelihood that a given Beloit student had participated in the tradition of streaking across campus. Which social organizations students participated in and their level of self confidence in their appearance were good predictors of if they had done a "Bell Run". See my results.
Through a diverse course of study in Literature, Economics, Identity, and Chinese Language I became fluent in numbers as well as letters. My advisors impressed on me that Economics is the study of choice (what to wear, where to live, who to elect etc.) which opened my eyes to the nearly limitless applicability of my liberal education. I am interested in using Economics to investigate migration, sexuality, and law enforcement.
identity
My own identity became an important issue for me when I moved to China and experienced life as a minority. I became aware of how my race acted on the creation of social space and how expectations about my racial identity acted on me. When I came out as queer to my family, I became increasingly aware of how my sexual and gender identities shape who I am.
Identity has profound implications for understanding social policy, economic outcomes, and the political process. I am interested in investigating the intersection of individual identity and society.
Adventure
I have a keen sense of adventure. I am happiest when I am trying new foods, seeing new sites, and exploring new possibilities. I love to go backpacking and lose myself in the wilderness. Writing allows me to explore intellectual, cultural, and social wildernesses. With pen and pad in hand and a backpack on my shoulders I go forth and discover.